Bengals Adjust Safety Contract

The Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with several major expenses this offseason. Following two seasons of regular season mishaps, the Bengals are reloading their core, hoping to launch themselves back into contention in 2025. 

This started with the team's major payouts to their top two wide receivers. It is no secret the driving force of the Bengals' success comes from their offense and they reaffirmed that with new deals for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. 

Cincinnati inked Chase to a four-year, $161 million extension, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in the league while Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million deal. 

Having secured Joe Burrow's top weapons, they have since turned to the defensive side, hoping to extend defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Those talks have not led to anything yet though the team is still holding out hope in bringing him back. 

Meanwhile, the team has made another contract adjustment to a player atop the defensive depth chart. 

The Bengals and Geno Stone have agreed to a reduced contract for the upcoming season, the final of a two-year deal he signed last offseason. Stone has instead agreed to a $4.9 million deal with $1.5 million guaranteed.

Stone, who spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, started all 17 games while intercepting four passes, one he returned for a touchdown. He has 11 interceptions over the last two seasons. 

A continuation of those contributions would be beneficial for a defense that will be under new tutelage this season with Al Golden taking over on the headset for Lou Anarumo. 

With that new leadership stepping in, it would be key for the Bengals to come to terms now with their best defensive player in Hendrickson. 

Stone's pay cut only a small adjustment to the cap for Cincinnati. But they will need to collect resources anywhere possible to feel comfortable with the money they have dished out this offseason.